Defense Secretary Hagel Approves 21-Day Isolation Period For All U.S. Troops Returning From Ebola-Hit West Africa

Oct 30, 2014

News outlets report on U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s approval of a 21-day isolation period for all military personnel returning from Ebola response efforts in West Africa.

CQ News: Hagel Orders Quarantine for Troops Returning from Ebola Mission
“Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered that all U.S. military personnel returning from Ebola response efforts in West Africa be subject to a 21-day quarantine…” (O’Brien, 10/29).

Foreign Policy: Defense Breaks With the White House on Ebola Response
“In a full split with the White House, the Pentagon will monitor all soldiers returning from deployment to West Africa for 21 days even though not one is expected to treat patients for Ebola. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel made the decision public on Wednesday, Oct. 29. Previously, only the Army mandated that troops serving as part of the U.S. response to the Ebola outbreak in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea be held in separate quarters and watched…” (Francis, 10/29).

The Hill: Ebola quarantine ordered for all U.S. troops
“Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered all U.S. troops returning from Ebola response efforts in West Africa to undergo a 21-day ‘controlled monitoring regimen’…” (Wong, 10/29).

Reuters: Quarantine-like monitoring approved for U.S. troops on Ebola mission
“…Hagel also called for a review of the decision in 45 days to evaluate ‘whether or not such monitoring should continue based on what we learn and observe from the initial waves of personnel’ returning from the West Africa relief mission, Kirby said...” (Alexander, 10/29).

Wall Street Journal: Hagel Approves 21-Day Ebola Isolation Period For Military
“…Mr. Hagel also directed the joint chiefs to develop a detailed implementation plan for the so-called controlled monitoring period, which he will review in 15 days, said Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary. It wasn’t clear whether officials had latitude in the implementation process to alter the extent of isolation being required for returning service members…” (Schwartz/Nissenbaum, 10/29).